An Elder of the Setting Sun Sect

Sure enough, Xia Shanyang did not leave immediately. Instead, he changed the subject.

"By the way, I heard you sold a bottle of Spirit-Gathering Pills a few days ago, Brother Xu.

"Those pills are quite effective for cultivation. Why did you sell them instead of using them yourself?"

Xu Changxing had been waiting for this question, but he did not answer immediately. Instead, he appeared deeply hesitant.

Only after pondering for quite some time did he sigh softly and say,

"Since you've asked, Brother Xia, I'll hold nothing back today.

"The only reason I sold that bottle of Spirit-Gathering Pills was that I had no use for them."

As he spoke, he stirred the true essence within his dantian.

Dense Wood Attribute true essence instantly filled the little room.

Xia Shanyang, who had been perfectly composed a moment before, felt his pupils contract.

He instinctively rose from his seat and murmured,

"A Wood Attribute Spiritual Root!

"The Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement!"

Xu Changxing gave a bitter smile. "That's right. It was only after I began cultivating that I discovered I actually had some talent.

"I tested myself using the method recorded in a book and unexpectedly discovered that my Wood Spiritual Root was third-grade.

"It was only thanks to that third-grade Wood Spiritual Root that I could cultivate in secret without any spirit stones.

"I grew up in Kettle Bell Town and had seen how vicious the cultivators there were from an early age.

"So I never dared reveal my talent. I could only present myself as a young herb gatherer.

"I was lucky enough to cultivate safely to my current level.

"My original plan was to master a few more combat techniques and then leave.

"But a local bully named Gao Teng discovered the spirit stones I'd saved over the years and tried to kill me.

"Left with no choice, I killed those bullies instead.

"Before the Yin Corpse Sect could hear about it, I fled all the way here."

Xia Shanyang listened quietly to the whole account, his expression shifting repeatedly.

When Xu Changxing volunteered that he possessed a third-grade Wood Spiritual Root, an irrepressible gleam of excitement flashed in his eyes.

He had a vague feeling that his opportunity might have arrived.

Besides maintaining peace in their assigned areas, the Setting Sun Sect's stewards were also responsible for seeking out promising Immortal Seedlings among the locals.

A cultivator with a decent disposition and a third-grade Wood Spiritual Root was worth recruiting by any measure.

The only remaining question was his background.

But he could have other cultivators from the sect investigate that.

Since the man said he had grown up in Kettle Bell Town, there were bound to be traces to follow.

After a moment's consideration, Xia Shanyang finally made up his mind. He cupped his hands toward Xu Changxing and said,

"Brother Xu, you grew up in such a treacherous place yet still remained true to yourself. You have my deepest respect.

"I'll report your wish to join the Setting Sun Sect to my seniors in The Sect right away.

"Barring any surprises, we should have an answer within half a month."

Joy immediately rose in Xu Changxing's heart at those words.

His many days of working through possibilities had finally paid off.

Sure enough, the Setting Sun Sect could not bear to pass up such an excellent Immortal Seedling with a third-grade Wood Spiritual Root.

Amid Xu Changxing's repeated expressions of thanks, Xia Shanyang slowly left the little courtyard.

Only after reaching a deserted spot did he abruptly quicken his pace and hurry back to his room.

Once he had shut the door securely, he took a Message Jade Pendant out of his Storage Bag, where it had lain sealed away for years.

After a brief hesitation, he activated the Message Jade Pendant and said,

"Reporting to the elder: this is Xia Shanyang, a disciple of the Outer Sect. I've encountered a rogue cultivator in Red Sparrow Town who possesses a third-grade Wood Spiritual Root.

"According to him..."

After recounting Xu Changxing's story, Xia Shanyang quietly awaited a response.

A long while later, an aged voice sounded from the Message Jade Pendant.

"A third-grade Wood Spiritual Root, and he knows how to bide his time. A promising Immortal Seedling indeed, worth a personal visit to verify his story.

"If he truly has committed no evil, we can admit him to the sect.

"Don't go wandering off over the next few days.

"If what you've said proves true, you'll be credited for your contribution."

Meanwhile, Xu Changxing had no idea that his account had actually drawn the attention of an elder of the Setting Sun Sect.

He had, however, already guessed that they would probably send someone to verify his story.

Xu Changxing was not afraid of that in the slightest. In fact, he rather looked forward to it.

He really had grown up in Kettle Bell Town, after all, and there were plenty of stallholders who could attest to the bullying he had suffered at the hands of Gao Teng and his men.

And ever since transmigrating into this world, he had kept his head down, never daring to stir up any trouble.

In other words, aside from the stain of having been born in Kettle Bell Town, his background was spotless. He had nothing to fear from an investigation.

The reason Xia Shanyang had been wary of him in the previous simulation was precisely because he had chosen to conceal his background and cultivation.

Once the other man had discovered that he came from Yin Corpse Sect territory, hiding his origins was practically the same as announcing that he had a shady past. It would have been strange if Xia Shanyang had not been wary of him.

By taking the opposite approach and laying his background bare, he had indeed achieved a good result.

The only question now was whether the talent he had revealed was enough to make them take him seriously.

If they could not be bothered to venture into Yin Corpse Sect territory to investigate a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, all his efforts to catch their eye would have been wasted, and he would have exposed his background for nothing.

His birthplace becoming known was one thing, but his third-grade Wood Spiritual Root and Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement cultivation were both important pieces of information.

If someone wanted to target him, knowing those details would put him in considerable danger.

Feeling somewhat apprehensive, he began waiting for their response.

The feeling actually reminded him of waiting at home for his college entrance exam results in his previous life.

The only difference was that those exam results had merely determined which university he could attend.

This wait, however, might determine whether he lived or died.

Fortunately, Xia Shanyang did not leave him on tenterhooks for long.

Early the next morning, Xia Shanyang came over excitedly and told him that an elder of the sect had taken a keen interest in him.

Delighted, Xu Changxing once again thanked Xia Shanyang profusely.

Over the next few days, Xu Changxing scarcely stepped outside, spending each day familiarizing himself with his cultivation level.

Only when Xia Shanyang came to visit did he take a brief rest.

At noon on the seventh day, Xia Shanyang came to Xu Changxing's little courtyard again.

This time, he was not alone. An old man with a grizzled beard followed behind him.

Before Xu Changxing could speak, Xia Shanyang took the initiative to introduce him.

"Brother Changxing, come out!

"This is Elder Liu of our Setting Sun Sect's Internal Affairs Hall. He's come especially for you!"

Xu Changxing froze.

Over the past few days, he had already guessed that someone was probably investigating his background.

But he had never expected to attract the attention of a Setting Sun Sect elder.

As far as he knew, anyone who could become an elder in a sect like the Setting Sun Sect had to be at least at the Core Formation stage.

Xu Changxing hurried out of the house and bowed deeply. "Rogue cultivator Xu Changxing pays his respects to Elder Liu!"